10/06/2022:
The crew awoke at 0900CST.
Daily Report:
Water Electrolysis
Electrolysis was conducted using graphite electrodes on a 2,500mL solution of Distilled Water and Sodium Hydroxide (20mL). A DC converter ran a force potential of 30V through alligator clamps rendering 2.06 Amps. 50mL of Hydrogen free radicals were collected in 8 minutes, 30 seconds. 50mL of Oxygen free radicals were collected in 25 minutes, 20 seconds. The reason for this large difference in time is being analyzed. Electrolysis was also conducted with platinum electrodes in a solution mix of distilled water (solvent) at 750mL, and Sodium Hydroxide (solute) at 20mL. In approximately 1 hour, 6 minutes, 500mL of Hydrogen free radicals and 250mL of Oxygen free radicals were safely stored. This is the
cleanest data set since experimentation began on Mission Day 02, perfectly matching expectations. A force potential of 25 V sent through alligator clamps from a DC converter rendered an electric current of 1.47 Amps. Data sets are now large enough for analysis. Today’s experiments of electrolysis stored enough Isolated Oxygen to keep an average human alive for 1 hour.
EVA Operations
No EVAs were conducted today. The final EVA will be completed either tomorrow or the day after, but Saturday, 08 Oct 2022, is forecast to have ideal weather for that purpose.
Stress Mitigation Study
The first focused-breathing session was conducted from 1044-1054, the second from 1457-1507, and a third will be completed from 2200-2210. Data still continues to be collected and analyzed for this project. Data has shown that there is both an immediate and longer-term reduction in stress from focused breathing during an analog simulation.
Humanure Plant Study
All plant water consumption is nominal. Light intensity will be increased to 70 of 100 (currently 50), to accommodate for the average temperature drop in the habitat. This method for heating the greenhouse is more precise and can be changed in small increments as opposed to the standard heating elements in the module. An additional 10 mL of water will be applied through the top to alleviate soil hardening from increased light intensity. The Martian regolith is attempting to harden into a clay like state within the higher regolith ratio mixtures. The sprouted cucumber continues to grow with positive characteristics, daily height measurement collection will begin. All baseline soil tests have been completed. Next step, based on current results, is to fine tune the mixture ratios to
fit specific vegetables NPK requirements.
Other experiments and notes
UND experiments completed. Based upon UND’s instructions, the plants distributed throughout the hab were collected and moved to the storage room of the geology hab. Photos of the growing plants were taking and uploaded. The next Cardiobreath session will be on 08 Oct 2022. The crew installed the new 3D printed fan mount onto Blueberry and it will be tested during the next EVA.